Hays bar owner pleads no contest to arson

The owner of a popular Hays bar and grill has pleaded no contest to aggravated arson for a fire that heavily damaged the business and damaged six other businesses last October.

AP

The owner of a popular Hays bar and grill has pleaded no contest to aggravated arson for a fire that heavily damaged the business and damaged six other businesses last October.Benjamin Michael Butler entered the plea Tuesday in a fire at T-Bone's Sports Bar and Grill. Investigators say the blaze apparently started when Butler left a candle burning when he left the business.The Hays Daily News reports state's sentencing guidelines mean Butler will likely be sentenced to two years of probation and be required to pay $350,000 restitution to the other businesses damaged by the fire.